U.S. patent application number 10/997684 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for methods and systems for image selection and display.
Invention is credited to Ramanathan, Vijay, Stoffer, Jay H..
Application Number | 20050148861 10/997684 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38535571 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050148861 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramanathan, Vijay ; et
al. |
July 7, 2005 |
Methods and systems for image selection and display
Abstract
Methods and systems for selecting and/or displaying related
images. Images may be selected by designating a first region of
interest in an image, wherein the first region of interest
comprises one or more addresses including an address of interest;
locating one or more images in a selected series of images
containing at least one address from the first region of interest;
and selecting a first group of images from the selected series of
images containing at least one address from the first region of
interest. The selected images may be, displayed, stored,
transmitted, and/or printed.
Inventors: |
Ramanathan, Vijay; (Toronto,
CA) ; Stoffer, Jay H.; (Culver City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
50 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-1498
US
|
Family ID: |
38535571 |
Appl. No.: |
10/997684 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60524862 |
Nov 26, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/410 ;
375/E7.182 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 19/17 20141101;
G16H 50/20 20180101; G16H 30/20 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/410 |
International
Class: |
A61B 005/05 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is:
1. A method of selecting related images comprising: designating a
first region of interest in an image, wherein the first region of
interest comprises one or more addresses; locating one or more
images in a selected series of images containing at least one
address from the first region of interest; and selecting a first
group of images from the selected series of images, wherein each of
the images in the first group of images contains at least one
address from the first region of interest.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of images in the first
group of images is limited to a predetermined maximum.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein a user may add or remove images
from the first group of images.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: designating an
additional region of interest in an image, wherein the additional
region of interest comprises one or more addresses; locating one or
more images in a selected series of images containing at least one
address from the additional region of interest; and selecting an
additional group of images from the selected additional series of
images, wherein each of the images in the additional group of
images contains at least one address from the additional region of
interest.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the images are MRI images.
6. A method of displaying related images comprising: designating a
first region of interest, wherein the first region of interest
comprises one or more addresses; locating one or more images in a
selected series of images containing at least one address from the
first region of interest; selecting a first group of images from
the selected series of images, wherein each of the images in the
first group of images contains at least one address from the first
region of interest; and displaying at least one image from the
first group of images.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the number of images selected
from the first group of images is limited to a predetermined
maximum.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein a user may add or remove images
from the first group of images.
9. The method of claim 5, further comprising retrievably storing
the first group of images in a storage medium.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the storage medium is selected
from the group consisting of compact disc, optical disc, hard
drive, memory card, RAM, and ROM.
11. The method of claim 5, further comprising: designating an
additional region of interest in an image, wherein the additional
region of interest comprises one or more addresses; locating one or
more images in the selected series of images containing at least
one address from the additional region of interest; selecting an
additional group of images from the selected series of images,
wherein each of the images in the additional group of images
contains at least one address from the additional region of
interest; and displaying at least one image from the additional
group of images.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising retrievably storing
the additional group of images in a storage medium.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the storage medium is selected
from the group consisting of compact disc, optical disc, DVD, hard
drive, memory card, RAM, and ROM.
14. The method of claim 6, wherein the images are MRI images
15. A computer system for displaying related images, the computer
system comprising: a computer processor; memory for storing a
series of images; and a computer readable medium having stored
thereon a computer executable program comprising the steps of:
designating a first region of interest in an image, wherein the
first region of interest comprises one or more addresses; locating
one or more images in a selected series of images containing at
least one address from the first region of interest; selecting a
first group of images from the selected series of images, wherein
each of the images in the first group of images contains at least
one address from the first region of interest; and displaying at
least one image from the first group of images.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the number of images selected
from the first group of images is limited to a predetermined
maximum.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein a user may add or remove images
from the first group of images.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the first group of images are
retrievably stored in a storage medium.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage medium is selected
from the group consisting of compact disc, DVD, optical disc, hard
drive, memory card, RAM, and ROM.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein the computer executable program
further comprises the steps of: designating an additional region of
interest in an image, wherein the additional region of interest
comprises one or more addresses; locating one or more images in the
selected series of images containing at least one address from the
additional region of interest; selecting an additional group of
images from the selected series of images, wherein each of the
images in the additional group of images contains at least one
address from the additional region of interest; and displaying at
least one image from the additional group of images.
21. The system of claim 15, wherein the images are MRI images.
22. The system of claim 15, further comprising a storage medium for
storing at least one image from the first group of images.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the images are MRI images.
24. The system of claim 22, further comprising a transmission for
transmitting at least one image from the first group of images.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the transmission is sent over a
conduit.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the conduit is selected from
the group consisting of phone, satellite, cable, and wireless.
27. The system of claim 24, wherein the transmission is sent over a
network.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein the network is selected from
the group consisting of internet, intranet, extranet, phone
network, and wireless network.
29. The system of claim 24, wherein the images are MRI images.
30. A method of printing related images comprising: designating a
first region of interest in an image, wherein the first region of
interest comprises one or more addresses; locating one or more
images in selected series of images containing at least one address
from the first region of interest; selecting a first group of
images from the at least an additional series of images, wherein
each of the images in the first group of images contains at least
one address from the first region of interest; and printing at
least one image from the first group of images.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the images are printed on a
medium selected from the group consisting of paper and film.
32. The method of claim 30, further comprising: designating an
additional region of interest in an image, wherein the additional
region of interest comprises one or more addresses; locating one or
more images in the selected series of images containing at least
one address from the additional region of interest; selecting an
additional group of images from the at least an additional series
of images, wherein each of the images in the additional group of
images contains at least one address from the additional region of
interest; and printing at least one image from the additional group
of images.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein the images are MRI images.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Digital imaging technology is essential to diagnosis of a
variety of diseases including cancer, heart disease, brain
disorders, and many other conditions in both humans and animals.
The ability to acquire, analyze, transfer, and store detailed
images of tissues and organs permits rapid and accurate diagnosis
of disease and therefore better and more accurate treatment for the
patient. Digital images for use in medical diagnosis are often
obtained as a series of images representing adjacent slices of a
target such as an organ (e.g., liver, heart, and brain) or other
portion of the body. Radiologists and other medical professionals
analyze the series of images to locate and identify potential
pathological conditions.
[0002] Medical images may be acquired using techniques such as
computed tomography ("CT"), magnetic resonance ("MR"), ultrasound,
and electrical impedance tomography. CT uses x-rays to image the
body. As x-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or
attenuated at various levels creating a matrix or profile of x-ray
beams of different strength. A rotating frame in the CT scanner has
an x-ray tube mounted on one side and a detector mounted on the
opposite side. A fan-shaped beam of x-ray radiation is created as
the rotating frame spins the x-ray tube and detector around the
patient. Each time the x-ray tube and detector make a 360.degree.
rotation, one or more images or slices has been acquired. The
images represent slices of the body, and are usually completed in a
series. The spacing between slices is typically less than five
millimeters. The x-ray tube and detectors are normally moved along
the long axis of the body to acquire axial images that illustrate
the section of anatomy being studied. Typically, one or more
coronal images are constructed as scout images to indicate the
positioning of each axial image. An additional series of images may
be acquired after a high-contrast material is injected into the
patient. A derived image series may be computed from the original
series to contain different windows for display, i.e., bone, lung,
brain, etc. A derived series may also be created by different
computer processing techniques such as enhancement filters and/or
reconstruction.
[0003] MR uses magnetic energy and radio waves to create
cross-sectional images or slices of the human body. Current MR
scanners perform an examination typically comprised of 2 to 12
image series. An MR series is an acquisition of data that yields a
specific image orientation and a specific type of image appearance.
The benefits of MR are that it can differentiate tissue and easily
acquire direct views of the body in almost any orientation, while
CT scanners can display fractures and typically acquire axial
images. MR is typically carried out by moving a patient axially
through the magnetic field of a superconducting magnet in what is
called the z-direction. The patient is passed through magnetic
field gradients in the horizontal x- and vertical y-direction. The
excitation of nuclei in response to the magnetic field results in a
series of pulses which are collected as data points representing
the x, y, and z orientations. The data points are collected and
used to build a spatial map showing the location of various objects
in the image and assigning a unique spatial address to each object
within a series of images. Often several series of images are taken
of a body region (e.g., brain, heart) from different orientations
(e.g., sagittal, oblique, coronal, and axial). The several series
of images can be examined to give the medical professional various
perspectives of the imaged target.
[0004] Medical professionals carefully examine medical images to
identify and analyze pathologies or anomalies. While current
medical imaging technology permits a doctor to view a pathology
from various perspectives and orientations, prior imaging
technology does not permit locating and displaying a particular
pathology or portions of the pathology across several series of
images. For example, a radiologist determines whether an apparent
anomaly in one slice of one series is pathology or an artifact.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,629 ("the '629 patent") refers to
picture archiving and communication systems ("PACS") for
retrieving, displaying, routing, and archiving medical images. The
system generally consists of an archiving station with access to
long-term memory for storing image data and several reviewing
stations for displaying images. According to the '629 patent, the
reviewing stations can be designated to receive an image based on
"routing rules" (e.g., patient location, referring physician,
radiology specialty, and study status). However, the '629 patent
does not permit selection or display of images based on the
presence of a particular pathology, anomaly, or other location in
the image.
[0006] Merge eFilm's eFilm Workstation is a diagnostic, image and
manipulation tool for medical imaging. eFilm Workstation permits
cross-referencing, measuring, rotation, pan, zoom, and annotation
of images in addition to examination of multiple image studies
simultaneously using a 3 dimensional ("3D") cursor to select a
region of interest. However, the 3D cursor is only used with the
series of images currently being displayed and selects and displays
one image from each series of images. Furthermore, eFilm
Workstation does not eliminate series or images that do not contain
a region of interest.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Medical imaging is a powerful tool for medical diagnosis and
treatment. One or more series of images of a patient may be
analyzed to identify anomalies or provide guidance for treatment of
many conditions. Organization of the data is helpful to efficient
and accurate analysis. Manually reading many images to locate and
arrange relevant data wastes valuable resources that could be
applied to other uses. Methods and systems for selecting and
displaying images that are specifically relevant to analysis of an
anomaly or pathology are provided that offer medical professionals
a valuable tool to increase efficiency and accuracy of diagnosis
and treatment.
[0008] For example, it may be advantageous for a radiologist to
obtain an overview of a suspected pathology by viewing only those
images containing a selected anatomic location. Images containing
such anatomic location may be selected and offered for viewing.
Images not containing the selected anatomic location may be
eliminated, minimized, shadowed or otherwise removed from viewing.
Once the radiologist has created such an overview of suspected
pathology, the overview may be presented to others, such as a
referring physician, to illustrate the pathology from multiple
perspectives. Furthermore, simultaneous (or near-simultaneous)
viewing of all pre- and post-contrast injection series aids in the
determination of pathology. Similarly, comparison of the suspected
pathology between current and previous studies may aid in this
determination. The current study or series of images may also or
alternately be compared with a reference study obtained as a normal
or abnormal pathology.
[0009] Methods for selecting and displaying related images
including designating a first region of interest in an image are
provided. The image may be a single image or may be from at least
one series comprising at least one image. The first region of
interest may have a plurality of addresses and any of these may be
designated as an address of interest. For ease of discussion, a
single address of interest will be discussed. One or more images in
a selected series of images are located and selected as containing
the address of interest from the first region of interest. The one
or more images form a first group of images containing the address
of interest from the first region of interest. One or more images
from the first group of images may be displayed.
[0010] In a further embodiment, an additional region of interest in
an image may be designated. The additional region of interest may
have a plurality of addresses and any of these may be designated as
an additional address of interest. For ease of discussion, a single
additional address of interest will be discussed. One or more
images in a selected series of images are located and selected as
containing the additional address of interest from the additional
region of interest. The one or more images form an additional group
of images containing the additional address of interest from the
additional region of interest. One or more images from the
additional group of images may be displayed.
[0011] Alternately, an additional address of interest in the first
region of interest in an image may be designated. Thus, one or more
images in a selected series of images are located and selected as
containing the additional address of interest from the first region
of interest. The one or more images form an additional group of
images containing the additional address of interest from the first
region of interest. One or more images from the additional group of
images may be displayed.
[0012] Systems for selecting and displaying images are provided.
Such systems comprise a computer processor; memory for storing a
series of images; and a computer readable medium having a computer
executable program. The computer executable program permits users
to designate a first region of interest having a address of
interest in an image; locate one or more images in a selected
series of images containing the address of interest from the first
region of interest; select a first group of images from the
selected series of images having the address of interest from the
first region of interest; and display at least one image from the
first group of images. The computer executable program may also
permit users to designate an additional region of interest having
an additional address of interest in an image; locate one or more
images in a selected series of images containing the additional
address of interest from the additional region of interest; select
an additional group of images from the selected series of images
having the additional address of interest from the additional
region of interest; and display at least one image from the
additional group of images.
[0013] Selected images may be displayed, stored, transmitted, or
printed. Storage medium (e.g., compact disc, DVD, optical disc,
hard drive, memory card, RAM, and ROM) and transmissions (e.g.,
internet, phone, wireless, ethernet, and cable) containing images
selected according to methods of the invention are provided. Images
may be printed by or on any suitable medium (e.g., paper,
film).
[0014] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will
be apparent, the invention is capable of modifications in various
obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not
restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a flowchart of a method of selecting and
displaying images containing a region of interest in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 depicts three images of a pyramid through each of
five series (two axial, one coronal, and two oblique).
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts the images of FIG. 2 containing a region of
interest selected and displayed from the five series of images in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of a system for selecting and
displaying images containing a region of interest in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, which serve to explain the principles of the invention.
It is to be understood that the application of the teachings of the
present invention to a specific problem or environment will be
within the capabilities of one having ordinary skill in the art in
light of the teachings contained herein.
[0020] Methods and systems for selecting and/or displaying images
containing a region of interest are provided. These methods and
systems achieve an increased efficiency and ease in locating,
selecting, and/or displaying images containing a specified region
of interest (e.g., anomaly, tumor, anatomical location) using at
least one address, for example an address of interest, specifying
the spatial location of a region of interest in an image. Thus,
images across several series of images may be searched to identify,
select, and display all images containing the address of interest
of the region of interest.
[0021] A method for selecting and/or displaying images containing a
region of interest is illustrated in FIG. 1. An image is selected
at block 10. The image may be a single image or may be one image in
a series of images. An image may be any arrangement of addresses,
locations, pixels, voxels and/or other image structure to form a
spatial representation or map of an object. Images may be embodied
in any medium (e.g., photographs, photocopies, transparencies, or
drawings) and may be digital or analog. Images may be of any object
(e.g., person, animal, machine, or device), any part of an object,
or any combination of objects. Images in a series may be arranged
sequentially in a given orientation (e.g., sagittal, coronal,
oblique, axial) from 1 to n and represent portions or slices of an
object taken as the imaging device moves across an object. In such
arrangement, each slice generally represents a portion of the
object of a given width (e.g., 4 mm).
[0022] A region of interest of the selected image is established at
block 12. The region of interest may be established or designated
in any suitable manner. Generally, a region of interest comprises
at least one address representing a designated area of an object
for further study. A region of interest may be designated by
providing the addresses which make up the region. In one
embodiment, the addresses represent the spatial boundaries of the
region of interest. In another embodiment, the addresses may
represent some or all of the addresses comprising the entire region
of interest. The region of interest may be designated manually. For
example, the region of interest may be designated by using a
computer mouse to identify the addresses of a region of interest of
an image displayed on a computer monitor. In such embodiment, a
user clicks on or drags the mouse over or on a region of interest
and thereby designates the region of interest. The size and shape
of the region of interest may be selected or modified, as shown at
block 14.
[0023] Addresses within the region of interest are deteremined at
block 14. The addresses refer to spatial locations in an object and
may be represented in any suitable manner. The address may
comprise, for example, coordinates or other identifiers that
represent a unique spatial location in the image. For example, an
address may be represented using a coordinate system (e.g., x, y,
and z). Using a coordinate system, an address may be represented in
either two (x, y) or three (x, y, z) dimensions. "Pixel" generally
refers to a 2D image address while "voxel" generally refers to a 3D
image address. Addresses may comprise one or more pixels or voxels.
Using addresses, an object may be subdivided into unique addresses
forming a spatial map of an imaged object. The unique location of
an address remains constant across multiple series of images of an
object. For example, an address assigned to a location in an image
contained in a series of sagittal images of an object also
represents the same location in an image from a series of axial
images of the same object.
[0024] The American College of Radiology and the National
Electrical Manufacturers Association developed a standard for
Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine ("DICOM") to
faciliatate development of digital imaging communication,
archiving, display, storage, and transmission. See Digitial Imaging
and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standards published by the
National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Rosslyn, Va. (2003),
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The DICOM
standard divides an image into "data elements" which is defined as
a unit of information representing a single entry in the data
dictionary. Id. The "data dictionary" is a registry of data
elements which assign a unique tag, a name, value characteristics,
and semantics to each data element. Id. A spatial map of an image
can be generated in accordance with the DICOM standard, for
example, to provide unique locations for data elements of an object
by assigning coordinates (e.g., x, y, and z) and other identifiers
to the data element.
[0025] Thus, as shown in blocks 10 through 16, a method of
selecting images containing a region of interest comprises
selecting at least one image from at least one series of images
(block 10), designating a first region of interest in the selected
image (block 12) wherein the first region of interest comprises one
or more addresses, and determining addresses, including at least
one address of interest, within the first region of interest (block
16). The first region of interest may have a plurality of addresses
and any of these may be designated as an address of interest. For
ease of discussion, a single address of interest will be discussed.
However, multiple addresses may be designated.
[0026] After the address of interest within the region of interest
has been determined, one or more series of images are selected, for
example automatically selected, each of which contain at least one
image containing the address of interest, as shown at block 18. For
ease of reference, the selected one or more series of images will
be referred to as the selected series of images. The image selected
at block 10 may be an image in a series of images. In this case,
the selected series of images comprises an image series other than
the image series having the selected image. The selected series of
images may be any suitable series of images. For example, a patient
may have multiple series of images taken of an object (e.g., brain)
at one time. Any, or several, of these series of images may be
designated as the selected series. Alternatively, one or more
series of images may be taken at a different time than the initial
series of images and any, or several, series of images from
different times may be designated as the selected series. A series
of images from another patient or a series of "standard" images of
the object may be designated as the selected series. Any
combination of these or other series of images may be designated as
a selected series.
[0027] One or more images containing the address of interest from
the first region of interest are located within the selected series
of images. The one or more images form a first group of images
containing the address of interest from the first region of
interest. As shown at block 20, images from the first group of
images may be made available for display. One or more images from
the first group of images may be displayed, as shown at block 22.
Alternately, the first group of images may be stored, archived,
printed, or transmitted.
[0028] The series selected at block 18 may comprise any images
suitable for comparison with the selected image of block 10. For
example, as explained above, the series selected may be a series
from the same patient taken at a different time, a series from a
different patient, or a series from a reference study obtained as a
normal or abnormal pathology. Addresses in images from different
series may be correlated using techniques for registering addresses
between two or more images (e.g., correlating addresses between two
or more images or selected points from the images). Image
registration permits comparison of two images based on a common
frame of reference. For example, size, location, or other features
of a tumor may be monitored from time 1 to time 2 in order to
evaluate the therapeutic impact of a particular treatment regimen.
Registration of an image taken at time 1 with an image taken at
time 2 permits direct comparison of the images to identify any
changes in the object between time 1 and time 2. Registration may
be performed by a variety of methods. See generally U.S. Pat. No.
6,553,152, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For
example, a transformation can be computed to map related points
(i.e., landmarks) in each image. The distance between an address in
image 1 and a landmark can be compared to the distance between a
corresponding address in image 2 and the same landmark in image
2.
[0029] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate selection of images each containing
an address of interest from several series of images. FIG. 2
illustrates first, second, and third images from five series of
images. The five series of images comprise a pyramid: first and
second axial series, a coronal series, and first and second oblique
series. The first image, second image, and third image of each
series is depicted in panel A, panel B, and panel C respectively.
In FIG. 3, a first region of interest (represented by two
concentric circles) is designated in the first axial series. As
explained above, at least one address is determined within the
region of interest. For ease of discussion, this is referred to as
an address of interest although a pluraltiy of addresses may be
selected. Images from the subsequent series containing the address
of interest are located and selected to form a first group of
images.
[0030] Optionally, the number of images in the first group of
images may be limited to a predetermined number. For example, the
number of images in the first group of images depicted in FIG. 3
may be limited to five. In another embodiment, additional images
may be added to or removed from the first group of images. The
additional images do not necessarily contain the address of
interest from the first region of interest.
[0031] Returning to FIG. 1, after at least one image from the first
group of images is displayed (block 22), a user of the system may
be prompted to indicate whether the region of interest is
acceptable, as shown at block 24. If the region of interest is not
acceptable, the user may select a new image, shown at block 10,
establish a region of interest in that image, shown at block 12,
and continue until they are again prompted for whether the region
of interest is accceptable, shown at block 22. If the region of
interest is acceptable, the user may be prompted to indicate
whether the number of images is acceptable, shown at block 26. If
the number of images is not acceptable, the user may edit the
number of images displayed or the number of images available for
display, shown at block 28. Once the region of interest and the
number of images are indicated as acceptable, the images may be
printed, shown at block 30, stored, shown at block 32, or
transmitted, shown at block 34.
[0032] Alternately, the user may not be prompted for whether the
region of interest is acceptable and/or whether the number of
images is acceptable. If not so prompted, the images may be
printed, stored, or transferred, blocks 30-32, directly after being
displayed at block 22.
[0033] In another embodiment, an additional region of interest may
be designated in an image. The image may be the image originally
selected at block 10 or may be a different image. The size or shape
of the region of interest may be modified, as at block 14. At least
one address is then determined within the region of interest, as at
block 16. For ease of reference, this address is referred to as an
additional address of interest. However, again, more than one
address may be selected. As with the first region of image, after
the additional address of interest within the region of interest
has been determined, one or more series of images are selected
including at least one image containing the additional address of
interest, as at block 18. The selected series of images may be the
same series of images selected in block 18 with reference to the
image originally selected at block 10 or may be a different series
of images. Further, a plurality of series of images may be
selected. One or more images containing the additional address of
interest from the additional region of interest are located within
the selected series of images. The one or more images form an
additional group of images containing the additional address of
interest from the additional region of interest. Images from the
additional group of images may be made available for display, as at
block 20. One or more images from the additional group of images
may be displayed, as at block 22. Alternately, the additional group
of images may be stored, archived, printed, or transmitted.
[0034] Thus, for example, a user may revise or identify a different
region of interest and either replace or add to the first group of
images with an additional group of images containing at least one
address from the additional region of interest, or otherwise
maintain both groups of images.
[0035] The first and/or additional groups of images may be stored,
printed, archived, discarded, or displayed on another workstation.
If stored, the storage medium may be any memory location or device
capable of storing images (e.g., compact disc, DVD, optical disc,
hard drive, memory card, RAM or ROM).
[0036] The series of images to be assessed for presence of an image
having an address of interest (the selected series of images) may
be automatically generated by a computer executable program based
on the region of interest. The user may manually add or remove
images from the selected series of images. In one embodiment, only
selected images are displayed or highlighted while images that do
not contain three-dimensional points within the user's region of
interest are eliminated, minimized, shadowed, or otherwise removed
from view. The region of interest may be redefined by the user,
triggering a reselection of images containing three-dimensional
points within the new region of interest, and interactively
updating the display of images. One or more regions of interest may
be stored by the user for displaying, printing, transmitting, or
archiving. Image registration techniques may be used to preprocess
the images to align them to a constant frame of reference.
[0037] A system for displaying related images is further provided
as illustrated by the block diagram of FIG. 4. The system 40 may
comprise a computer processor 42, a memory for storing a series of
digital images 44, and a computer readable medium 46 having a
stored computer executable program 48. The stored computer
executable program 48 utilizes a first region of interest having an
address of interest, and locates at least one image having the
address of interest in one or more selected series of one or more
images. The first region of interest may include more than one
address and the stored computer executable program may locate at
least one image in a selected series having any address of the
first region of interest. The stored computer executable program 48
may further select a first group of images from the selected series
of images, wherein each of the images in the first group of images
contains the address of interest (or other address from the first
region of interest). The stored computer executable program 48 may
display at least one image from the first group of images.
[0038] The number of images selected from the first group of images
may be limited to a predetermined maximum. Optionally, images can
be added or deleted from the first group of images. Images may be
retrievably stored in a storage medium 50 (e.g., compact disc,
optical disc, hard drive, memory card, DVD, ROM, or RAM).
[0039] In another embodiment, the computer executable program 48
may designate an additional region of interest in an image, the
additional region of interest having an additional address of
interest, and locate at least one image having the additional
address of interest in a selected series of images. The additional
region of interest may include more than one address and the stored
computer executable program 48 may locate at least one image in a
selected series of images having any address of the additional
region of interest. The stored computer executable program 48 may
further select an additional group of images from the selected
series of images wherein each of the images in the additional group
of images contains the additional address of interest (or other
address from the additional region of interest). The stored
computer executable program 48 may display at least one image from
the additional group of images. Thus, for example, a user may
revise or identify an additional region of interest from the first
region of interest and either replace or add to the first group of
images with an additional group of images containing at least one
address from the additional region of interest, or otherwise retain
both groups of images.
[0040] Returning to FIG. 4, the system may include means for
storing, printing, archiving, discarding or displaying images on
one or more workstations or servers. Thus, for example, the system
may include a storage medium 50, a printer 52, and/or a display 54.
The storage medium 50 may be any memory location or device capable
of storing images (e.g., compact disc, DVD, optical disc, hard
drive, memory card, RAM or ROM).
[0041] Storage media may be provided containing related images
selected by designating a first region of interest in an image,
wherein the first region of interest comprises one or more
addresses including an address of interest; locating one or more
images in a selected series of images containing at least one
address from the first region of interest; and selecting a first
group of images from the selected series of images containing at
least one address from the first region of interest. The storage
medium may comprise any device capable of storing images and/or any
associated data (e.g., registration information, index, descriptive
text, identification tags). The storage medium may be used for long
or short term storage of images and may be portable (compact disc,
DVD, memory card, optical disc) or relatively non-portable (e.g.,
storage medium installed in a mainframe computer or computer
server).
[0042] Transmissions containing related images are also provided.
Thus, the system may optionally include a transmitter 56 for
transmitting such transmissions. The images contained in the
transmission may selected by designating a first region of interest
in an image, wherein the first region of interest comprises one or
more addresses including an address of interest; locating one or
more images in a selected series of images containing at least one
address from the first region of interest; and selecting a first
group of images from the selected series of images containing at
least one address from the first region of interest. The
transmissions may be sent over any suitable conduit (e.g., phone,
satellite, cable, wireless) and/or network (internet, intranet,
extranet, phone network, and wireless network).
[0043] Related images selected and/or displayed may be printed. The
images to be printed may be selected by designating a first region
of interest in an image, wherein the first region of interest
comprises one or more addresses including an address of interest;
locating one or more images in a selected series of images
containing at least one address from the first region of interest;
and selecting a first group of images from the selected series of
images containing at least one address from the first region of
interest. Selected images may be printed by or on any suitable
medium (e.g., paper, film).
[0044] The above description is only illustrative of example
embodiments of the present invention, and it is not intended that
the present invention be limited thereto. Persons skilled in the
art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any
modifications of the present invention which come within the spirit
and scope of the following claims is considered part of the present
invention.
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